Vaned elements and method of making the same



- July 16, 1957 E. F. FARRELL VANED ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 22. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l fruerif [gene Ffarrell July 16, 1957 E. F. FARRELL 2,799,228

VANEID ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME s Sheds-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1951 jnvenjfir I'uyne F Farrell July 16, 1957 E. F. FARRELL VANED ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THB SAME Filed May 22, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent VANED ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Eugene F. Farrell, Grosse Pointe, Mich., assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 22, 1951, Serial No. 227,670 22 Claims. (Cl. 103-115) This invention relates to vaned elements and, preferably but not necessarily such elements of hydrodynamic couplings and, more particularly, hydrodynamic couplings of the torque converting type, such couplings comprising driving and driven vaned elements and a vaned reaction element. The invention is directed to the construction of vaned elements and to the methods of making the same.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved vaned elements of pumps, turbine rotors, compressors, hydrodynamic couplings, and like devices and methods of making 'the elements at relatively low cost.

It is another object of the invention to provide novel and improved methods of making vaned wheels of such devices as described contemplating the formation of the vaned elements by electroforming processes in which metal is electrolytically deposited or plated on forms defining the vanes and vane-supporting structure of the vaned elements.

It is another object of the invention to provide vaned elements of hydrodynamic couplings and method of making the same in which the vaned elements can be fabricated by the provision of an annular semi-toroidal shell and core ring having disposed therebetween vanes which may be either thin and flat, or else of streamlined shape, formed of an inexpensive material, such as paper, and having metal electrolytically deposited thereon to the shape of the selected and desired vane form.

The invention consists of the novel constructions, arrangements, devices, processes and methods to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the abovestated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following description of certain preferred embodiments and methods for making the same illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hydrodynamic coupling illustrating the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the turbine as seen from the left in Fig. 1 or from the inner side of the turbine; V

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an apparatus illustrating an embodiment of one of the methods for fabricating the turbine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of apparatus utilized in another method suitable for use in fabricating the turbine element shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of apparatus utilized in still another method for making the turbine element shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, Fig. 1 illustrates across-sectional view of a hydrodynamic coupling device of the torque converting type embodying the invention and comprising the driving vaned element or impeller 1, a driven vaned element or turbine 2, and a vaned element 3 functioning as a stator or reaction member. It will be understood that the three vaned elements are ordinarily found in a hydrodynamic torque converter, with the impeller 1 functioning to impart energy to a body of liquid in the torque converter, the turbine 2 receiving energy from the liquid, and the stator 3 being held from rotation and functioning as a reaction element to change the direction of flow of the liquid so that the coupling functions to multiply the torque. Each of the vaned elements 1, 2 and 3 are designed to have curved vanes, the turbine vanes 4 illustrated in Fig. 2 being an example of curved vanes ordinarily found in turbines of torque converters, the impeller 1 and the stator 3 also having vanes respectively identified at 5 and 6, which are also curved but in a different manner than those of the turbine vanes to cooperate with the turbine vanes to eiiect flow of the liquid for torque multiplication as is well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring'to Figs. 1. and 2, the impeller 1 comprises an annular casing or shell 7 and a shroud or core ring 8, the blades 5 extending between the casing 7 and core ring 8. The turbine 2 is also provided with an annular outer shell or casing 9 and an inner core ring 10. The blades 4 extend between the shell 9 and core ring 10. The stator 3 has an outer shell 11 and an inner core ring 12, the blades 6 extending therebetween. The various described casings and shells of the vaned elements 1,2 and 3 are annular and of semi-toroidal form as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Describing more particularly the structure of the turbine 2, the semi-toroidal outer casing 9 may be formed of a ferrous metal, such as steel, the core ring 10 also being formed of the same metal and being of semi-toroidal shape. Between the casing 9 and core ring 10 is a composite structure comprising the blades 4 and substantially annular semi-toroidal portions 13 and 14 homogeneous with the vanes 4, the structure being preferably formed of a ferrous metal. This composite structure, including the blades4 and the members 13 and 14, is disposed between the casing 9 and core ring 10, the members 13 and 14 having the semi-toroidal contour of the outer shell 9 and inner core ring 10 and being welded thereto.

In like manner, the impeller 1 has a composite integral structure consisting of the spaced semi-toroidal rings 15 and 16 connected together by the blades 5, the rings 15 and 16 and the vanes 5 being formed of ferrous metal, the rings 13 and 14 being welded to the steel casing 7 and core ring 8.

The stator element 3 has disposed between the outer casing 11 and inner core ring 12, another homogeneous structure composed of two rings 17 and 18 connected together by the blades 6 and this unitary structure is welded to the steel casing 11 and steel inner core ring 12.

Inasmuch as I have shown that the turbine, impeller and stator consist of comparable structure, it will be apparent that a description of one of these vaned elements will sufiice to illustrate my improved methods of fabricating vaned elements for torque converters, the turbine 2 being.

selected for description for this purpose.

Referring to Fig. 4 illustrating a vaned element, in the form of the turbine 2, as one embodiment of the invention and showing one of the methods of making the same, the composite structure of the turbine 2, including the outer and inner shells 13 and 14 and vanes 4, is formed in the following manner.

I provide a plurality of vanes A formed of a material, such as paper, that will take a definite shape and which is relatively thick and rigid, with the peripheral edges B and C of the material arcuately formed and having a plurality of tabs D and E extending therefrom, each of the vanes are stamped, or otherwise distorted out of their plane, to provide the vanes with the curvaturesdesired'for receiving and guiding the passages 19 (Fig. 2) in the turbine. While any suitable electricity-conducting mediums or materials may be used, the paper vanes A have graphite applied thereto by spraying or electro-static plating. The graphited paper vanes are then positioned between two molds or forms 20 and 21, which may be of any dielectric material, such as plastics of phenolic resin. The molds 20 and 21 have spaced slots F and G therein for receiving the tabs D and E on the paper vanes to hold them in position between the molds. The molds 26 and 21 are annular, with the mold 2h havin an inner surface 22 of semi-toroidal form and engaging the outer peripheral edges of the vanes A upon receiving the tabs D of the vanes within the slots F formed in the surface 22, the slots being suitably spaced circumferentially and radially with respect to each other to receive the tabs on the vanes The mold 21 has a substantially semi-toroidal surface 23 seating against the similarly contoured inner peripheral edges of the vanes 4a, after the tabs E of the vanes have been received within slots G in the mold 21. The slots F and G are suitably spaced to receive the tabs D and E on the vanes without distorting the curvatures of the vanes.

Prior to assembling the molds 2i} and 21 with the vanes A, the surfaces 22 and 23 thereof have graphite applied thereto by spraying or elcctro-static plating. in the assembly of the paper vanes and molds 2t} and 2?. as described, the mold 2i} is positioned on a shaft 2 the vanes extending through the axial opening therein, the vanes positioned on the mold 2d, and then the mold 221 is positioned on the shaft 2'5 with the shaft extending through the axial opening in the mold 2i and acting as a guide to align the slots G with the tabs E for assembly of the molds 21 with the vanes. The shaft 2 5 is provided with a collar 25 through which the shaft extends and which is fixed to the shaft by a pin 26. A peg 27 extends through the shaft 2d and is of conical shape to urge and maintain the mold 21 in assembly with the vanes and the mold 2% in engagement with the collar 25. it will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 4 that the molds, vanes and shaft will thus be held in assembly. The assembly is then positioned in a tank 23 with the opposite ends of the shaft supported on supports 2? and 3% on two of the walls of the tanl. The shaft 24, collar 25, pins 26 and 27, and the tank are formed of a dielectric material.

The tank contains a solution of ammonium chloride dis solved in water, the resultant solution completely covering the assembly comprising the molds 2t and 21 and the vanes A. The bath may comprise, for example, a solution of ferrous sulphate, ferrous chloride, ammonium sulphate, charcoal, and water. A piate 31 formed of ferrous metal and, more particularly, iron, is suspended in the tank 28 by any suitable means.

The iron plate 31 is connected, by a copper wire, to the positive pole of a source of direct electrical current, such as a battery, and thus forms an anode, while the vanes A are connected, by a copper wire, to the minus pole of the source of electric current and thus forms the cathode. The arrangement provides an electro-forming apparatus in which current flows through the iron plate 31, through the fluid solution in do tank to the graphited surfaces of the proper vanes A and surfaces 22 and 23 of the plastic members 26 and 21 respectively. The current, passing from the iron plate to the graphited surfaces of the vanes A and the members 29 and 21, causes some of the iron metal of the plate 31 to go into solution. As is Well known in the art, there is present an excess of electrons supplied by the battery, or other source of direct current, at the graphited surfaces of the vanes and molds, and these electrons neutralize the positively charged metallic ions that migrate to it from the anode or iron plate 31 and convert the dissolved iron metal to a metallic, solid condition on the graphited surfaces. At

the anode or iron plate, an equivalent amount of metal goes into solution to replace what is plated out and is then deposited upon the graphited surfaces of the vanes and the molds. As a result, particles of iron, homogeneously united together by the electric current action, will form a coating along the graphited surfaces 22 and 23 of the molds as well as the graphited surfaces of the vanes A. The electro-plated or electro-formed coatings are retained on these conducting surfaces of the molds and the vanes by virtue of. atomic forces as is well known in the art. The thickness of the coatings on the vanes and molds is governed by the quantity of electricity that passes through the cathode, in the present case, the graphited surfaces of the molds and the vanes, as the longer the time or greater the cathode current density, the thicker will be the deposit on the surfaces. Accordingly, it will be apparent that the vanes 4 and the inner ring 14 and shell rings 13 connected thereto, can be formed as a unitary composite structure, as shown in Fig. 1.

After iron coatings of suitable thickness have been deposited on the graphited surfaces of the molds 20 and 2i and the vanes A to form a homogeneous and unitary structure, this structure is then removed from the plating bath, and is then positioned between the steel shell 9 and the steel core ring it) and welded thereto at spaced points to form the turbine element 2 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The paper tabs D and G of the vanes 4 which are not covered with graphite and hence do not attract the iron particles in the solution during the electro-forming operation, may be readily removed by cutting the tabs from the vanes 4 prior to assembly of the composite structure with the steel shell and core ring 9 and 10, respectively.

Another method of forming a vaned element, such as the turbine shown in Fig. 1, is illustrated in Fig. 5. This method contemplates that paper vanes A be suitably provided with a coating of graphite or other electricityconducting material and then inserted between a steel core ring 32 and an outer shell 33. The shell and core ring have recesses 34 and 35 for receiving tabs D and E on the vanes A. (In this respect it will be noted that the tabs on the vanes and the slots in the shell and core ring in Fig. 5, and the slots in the molds 20 and 21 in Fig. 4, are so formed that the tabs may be inserted into the slots by movement of the vanes and the core ring in Fig. 5 and the mold 21 in Fig. 4 in an axial direction.) This assembly is retained in place by means of a fixture such as illustrated in Fig. 5 and comprising the shaft 24 carrying a backing member 20a having a surface provided with a contour to engage the complementary semitoroidal outer surface of the steel shell 33. The shaft 24 also supports a second backing member 21a having a surface complementary to and engaging the outer semitoroidal surface of the core ring. The backing members are formed of a dielectric material, such as a phenolic resin. The tank 26 contains a plating solution, similar to that previously described, and an iron plate 31 is suspended in the tank in the solution and is connected to a positive pole of a source of direct electrical current, the steel shell 33 being connected to the negative pole of the source of direct electric current, whereby the graphited surfaces of the paper vanes A and the semitoroidal surfaces of the steel shell and core ring, exposed to the solution, will be provided with iron coatings, the iron coating adhering to the steel shell and core ring to provide a turbine element similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. An annular plate 36 is also positioned on the shaft 24 and is held in engagement with the radially inner side 37 of the shell 33 by a peg 38 to prevent the unde sirable deposit of the positively charged iron particles from the plate 31 on this portion of the shell 33, the plate- 36 having a surface conforming to the engaged surface 37 of the reversely bent inner portion of the shell 33.

Another method is illustrated in Fig. 6, this method differing from the prior methods by illustrating that a composite structure, formed by semi-toroidal shell and core ring and vanes extending therebetween and integrally Connected thereto can provide a vaned element without the necessity of providing a steel outer shell and steel inner core ring as separate parts welded to the structure in the previous embodiment in Fig. 4, or electrically depositing iron on the vanes and a steel shell and a core ring as contemplated in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6, the molds or forms, indicated at 39 and 40, are formed of a dielectric plastic material, the form 39 having a semitoroidal surface 41; and the form 40 having a semi-toroidal surface 42, and also an adjoining substantially S-shaped surface 43 to define the radially inner peripheral portion of the vaned element. Each of these surfaces 41 and 42 engage the outer and inner edges of the paper vanes upon insertion of the vanes between the forms and reception of the tabs D and E within slots F and G in the forms 39 and 40.

Inthe practice of the present method, the semi-toroidal surfaces 41 and 42 of the forms, the surface 43 of the form 40, and the paper vanes are sprayed with graphite. The forms 39 and 40 are positioned on a shaft 24 positioned on supports 29 and 30 of the tank 28 and the collar and peg 27 maintain the forms in engagement t with the paper vanes. The plate 31 is suspended in the solution in the tank 28, the plate being formed of a ferrous material connected to the positive pole of a source of direct electric current, the negative pole of which is connected to the graphited vanes as shown, the electric current effecting an electro-deposition of iron particles upon the graphited surfaces 41 and 42 of the forms 39 and and the graphited surface 43 of the form 40, and also upon the graphited surfaces of the paper vanes. The homogeneous iron coating formed on these last mentioned surfaces may be controlled to any required thickness desired by the quantity of electricity passing through the graphited surfaces (the cathode) and also by the length of time or the amount of the cathode current density, as is well known in the art, to provide a homogeneous unitary structure forming a turbine, the disc-like radially inner extending periphery of the turbine being attachable to a hub for rotatably mounting the turbine.

It will be readily apparent that the paper vane forms can be readily shaped to provide any desired curvatures of torque converter vanes by suitable stamping dies which can be indefinitely used due to the negligible wear thereon in the formation of the paper vanes. Also, my improved electro-forming processes are well adapted to produce vane forms of complicated and intricate shape providing considerable advantage over the design limitations inherent with vanes either formed by casting, e. g. plaster mold casting, or formed as sheet metal stampings. Also, thin vane forms or hollow vane forms of airfoil shape can be facilely formed of any suitable material, such as paper, and graphite or other electricity-conducting medium be applied to the surfaces thereof; or other comparable inexpensive but electricity-conducting material can be used as vane forms in making torque converter elements by my novel processes.

Present plating processes, now currently being used, employ the use of periodic reversals in current resulting in an increasing of the throwing power of the plating bath to provide a more uniform thickness and ability to penetrate into corners, slots, etc.; the current reversals also dispose of the hydrogen film, that builds up around the part being plated, due to polarization, whereby, although the process is periodically reversed, the forward cycle is enhanced so greatly that the net result is to speed up the process; and further, that very smooth surfaces, that do not require polishing, are obtained directly from 'the plating process, this latter advantage being of considerable importance in providing for smooth surfaces of the vanes (and shell and core ring) to guide the flow of the fluid along the vanes and the outer shell and core rings of the bladed elements resulting in decreasing the in torque converters, such frie hydraulic friction losses of the torque tion losses being detrimental to the efliciency converters.

Furthermore, the shafts '24 in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are preferably rotatably mounted on the supports 29 and 30 of the tank 28, one end of the shaft extending through a wall of the tank and having a pulley P secured to the shaft end and belt-driven by a motor, or other power device, to rotate the shaft and thereby the molds 20 and21 and paper vanes A in Figure 4, or the molds 20a and21a, the steel shell 33 and core ring 32, and paper vanes A in Fig. 5, or the molds 39 and 40, and paper vanes A in Fig. 6. In Fig. 4, a slip ring SR engages the vanes A and the radially outer extremity of the inner graphite-covered surface 22 of the mold 20, the ring being press-fitted 'into the mold, and a flexible copper contact CT is engaged with the slip ring so that electric currentis conducted from the surface 22 of the mold and vanes A, throughthe slip ring SR and contact CT, tothe copper wire connected to the minus pole of the source of electric current. In Fig. 5, the flexible copper contact CT is engaged with and rides on the radially outer edge of the steel shell 34 during rotation of the shaft '24. In Fig. '6, the slip ring SR is disposed in the mold 40 similarly to the ring SR in the mold 20 in Fig. 4, and the flexible copper contact SR engages the slip ring during rotation of the shaft 24.

These arrangements are advantageous as rotation of the molds and vanes in Figs. 4 and 6, and the backing members 20a and 21a, the shell 34 and core ring 32, and the vanes in Fig. 5, causes the electrolyte to be pumped through the passages defined by the vanes, which greatly enhances the obtaining of a uniform deposit, and hence a uniform thickness, of the iron particles on the electricityconducting surfaces of the molds and vanes, or the steel shell 34 and core ring 32 and the graphite-covered surfaces of the vanes. 1

I wish it tobe understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions of vaned elements of hydrodynamic couplings and to the specific methods for making the same which are shown and described, except insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, I wish it to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to vaned elements of torque converting couplings and non-torque converting couplings unless the claims are so limited, as it is contemplated that the invention is applicable to vaned elements of other devices and machines, such as gas turbines, stators, compressors, and the like.

I claim:

1. In a vaned element, the combination of spaced members of electrolytically-deposited metal; a plurality of vanes extending between said members, each of said vanes comprising a vane form, and an electrolyticallydeposited metal coating covering said form and having portions thereof, defining the ends of said vanes, integrally connected to the metal of said members.

2. In a vaned element, the combination of spaced members of electrolytically-deposited metal; and a plurality of vanes extending between said members, each of said vanes comprising a non-metallic vane form, and an electrolytically-deposited metal coating covering said form and having portions thereof, defining the ends of said vane, connected to, and merging with the metal of, said members.

3. In a vaned element, a homogeneous unitary structure comprising spaced electrolytically-deposited ferrous metal members; and a plurality of vanes extending between said members, each of said vanes comprising a non-metallic vane form, and an electrolytically-deposited ferrous metal coating covering said form and having portions thereof, defining the ends of said vane, connected to and merging with the metal of said members.

4. In a vaned element, a unitary homogeneous structure comprising spaced electrolytically-deposited ferrous metal members; and a plurality of vanes extending between said members, each of said vanes comprising a vane form of dielectric material, a film of electricity-conducting material adhering to said form, and an electrolyticallydeposited metal coating covering said film of electricityconducting material and having portions thereof, defining the ends of said vanes, integrally connected to, and merging with the metal of, said members.

5. In a vaned element, a unitary homogeneous structure comprising spaced annular members of electrolyticallydeposited ferrous metal; and a plurality of vanes extending between said members, each of said vanes comprising a paper vane form, a film of graphite adhering to said form, and an electrolytically-deposited ferrous metal coating covering said graphite film and thereby said form, said coating having portions thereof, defining the ends of said vanes, integrally connected to, and merging with the metal of, said members.

6. In a vaned element, the combination of a homogeneous structure comprising spaced iron members, and a plurality of curved vanes extending between and connected at their ends to the adjacent opposed surfaces of said members, each of said vanes comprising a paper vane form, a film of graphite adhering to said form, and an electrolytically-deposited iron coating covering said graphite film and thereby said form; and spaced steel members respectively engaging said iron members and welded thereto at spaced points.

7. In a vaned element, the combination of a metal member having a surface with slots; non-metallic vane forms having tabs inserted in said slots, and a metal coating on said forms, and also on the surface of said member, the portion of said coating on said surface being bonded thereto.

8. In a vaned element, the combination of a metal member having a surface with slots; non-metallic vane forms having tabs inserted in said slots, and an electrolytically-deposited metal coating on said forms, and also on the surface of said member, the portion of said coating on said surface being bonded thereto.

9. In a vaned element, the combination of a metal member having a surface with slots; paper vane forms having tabs inserted in said slots, a film of graphite adhering to surfaces of said forms and the surface of said member, and an electrolytically-deposited ferrous metal coating covering said forms and said surface of said member.

10. In a rotatable vaned element of a hydrodynamic coupling, the combination of a hollow casing, a plurality of vanes fitting in said casing, a core ring in spaced relation to said casing, said casing and core ring having slots in the opposed surfaces thereof, said vanes comprising non-metallic vane forms having tabs inserted in said slots, and a metallic coating covering said forms,

and also the opposed surfaces of said casing and core ,7

ring and integrally bonded thereto.

11. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing a mold having a surface; providing a plurality of vane forms, said mold and vane forms being of a dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on said surface of said mold and the surfaces of said vane forms; holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the surface of said mold; and electrodepositing metal on said film to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous metallic vane and vane-supporting structure; and removing the electrodeposited metal providing said structure from said mold.

12. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing a mold having a surface, providing a plurality of vane forms, said mold and vane forms being of a dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on said surface of said mold and on the surfaces of said vane forms; holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the surface of said mold; positioning the engaged mold and vane forms in a receptacle containing a liquid electrolyte and ferrous metal member; and passing an electric current through said metal member, electrolyte, and said film to electrodeposit metal from said metal member on said film to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous vane. and vane-supporting structure; and removing the electrodeposited metal forming said structure from said electrolyte and then from said mold.

13. In a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling element, the steps which comprise, providing a hollow member having a curved electrically conductive inner surface; providing a plurality of vane forms adapted to fit in said member, said vane forms being of dielectric material; rendering the surfaces of said vane forms electrically conductive; holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the inner surface of said member; and electrodepositing metal on said surfaces of said member and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous casing and vane structure.

14. In a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling element, the steps which comprise, providing a hollow metal shell; providing a hollow mold having an inner surface, said shell having an outer surface conforming to the inner surface of said mold; providing a plurality of vaned forms adapted to fit in said mold, said mold and vane forms being of a dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on said inner surface of said mold and on the surfaces of said vane forms; holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the inner surface of said mold; and electrodepositing metal on said film to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous metallic casing and vane structure; and removing the electrodeposited metal providing the casing and vane structure from said mold; positioning said casing and vane structure within said shell and engaging the outer surface of said structure with the inner surface of said shell; and welding said shell to the casing of said structure.

15. In a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling element having a casing, a core ring, and vanes extend lng between and connected to the casing and core ring, the steps which comprise providing spaced molds having substantially similar adjacent opposed curved surfaces and substantially similar remote curved surfaces; providing a plurality of curved vane forms, said molds and vane forms being formed of dielectric materials; rendering said surfaces of said molds and surfaces of said vane forms electrically conductive; positioning the vane forms between the molds and holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with said surfaces of said molds; and electrodepositing ferrous metal on said surfaces of said molds and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous metallic casing, core ring and vane structure; and removing the molds from the electrodeposited metal forming the easing, core ring and vane structure, providing spaced hollow ferrous metal members having adjacent curved surfaces co'rresponding to the remote curved surfaces of said molds; positioning and holding said members and said structure together with the adjacent curved surfaces engaging the spaced remote surfaces of said core ring and casing; and welding the members to said casing and core ring.

16. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing a member having an electrically conductive surface with a plurality of spaced slots therein; providing a plurality of vane forms having tabs on edge faces thereof adapted to fit within the slots in said member, said vane forms being formed of a dielectric material; rendering the surfaces of said vane forms electrically conductive; positioning and holding the tabs of the vane forms in the slots in said member; and electrodepositing metal on said surface of said member and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous vane and vane-supporting structure.

17. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing a metallic member having a surface with a plurality of spaced slots therein; providing a puurality of vane forms having tabs on edge faces of the vane forms adapted to fit within the slots in said member, said vane forms being formed of a dielectric material; rendering the surfaces of said vane forms electrically conductive; positioning and holding the tabs of the vane forms in the slots in said member; and electrodepositing metal on said surface of said member and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous vane and vane-supporting structure.

18. In a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling element having a casing, core ring and vanes extending between and connected to the casing and core ring, the steps which comprise providing spaced hollow ferrous metal members having substantially similar adjacent opposed surfaces with each surface having spaced slots therein; providing a plurality of curved vane forms of dielectric material and having tabs on edge faces thereof adapted to fit within the slots in said members; rendering the surfaces of said vane forms electrically conductive; positioning and holding the tabs of the vane forms in the slots in said members; and electrodepositing ferrous metal on said surfaces of said members and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous casing, core ring and vane structure.

19. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing a mold having a surface; providing a plurality of vane forms, said mold and vane forms being of dielectric material; applying a film of electricityconducting material on said surface of said mold and the surfaces of said vane forms; holding the vane forms in spaced relation with edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the surface of said mold; positioning the engaged mold and vane forms in a receptacle containing a liquid electrolyte and a metallic member; rotating the engaged mold and vane forms; and passing an electric current through the metallic member, the electrolyte, and the electricity-conducting material on the said surfaces of said mold and vane forms to electro-deposit metal from said metallic member on the electricity-conducting material on said surfaces of the mold and vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous vane and vane-supporting structure; and removing the electro-deposited metal, forming said structure, from the electrolyte and said mold.

20. In a method of making a vaned element, the steps which comprise, providing an annular member having an electrically-conductive surface with a plurality of spaced slots therein; providing a plurality of vane forms having tabs on edge faces thereof adapted to fit within the slots in said member, said vane forms being formed of dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of said vane forms; positioning and holding the tabs of the vane forms in the slots in said member and to space said vane forms about the axis of said member to provide, with said member, a fluid pump having fluid passages; placing the assembled vane forms and member in a receptacle containing a fluid electrolyte and a metallic anode; rotating the assembled vane forms and member to effect the flow of the electrolyte through said passages by the fluidconducting and pumping action of said vane forms; and passing electric current through the metallic anode, the electrolyte, the electrically-conductive surface of said member and the film of electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of the vane forms to electro-deposit metal from said metallic anode on the electricity-conducting surface of said member and on the electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of the vane forms to a predeter- 10 mined uniform thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous vane and vane-supporting structure.

21. In a method of making a vane element, the steps which comprise; providing a metallic member having a surface with a plurality of spaced slots therein; providing a plurality of vane forms having tabs on edge faces of the vane forms adapted to fit within said slots in said member, said vane forms being formed of dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of said vane forms; positioning and holding the tabs of the vane forms in the slots in said member; positioning the assembled member and vane forms in a receptacle containing a liquid electrolyte and a metallic anode; rotating the assembled vane forms and said member; and passing an electric current through said metallic anode, the electrolyte, the metallic member, and the film of electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of said vane forms to electro-deposit metal on said member and said vane forms to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous metallic vane and vane-supporting structure.

22. In a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling element, the steps which comprise, providing two hollow annular members having curved electrically-conductive surfaces in facing relation; providing a plurality of vane forms adapted to fit between said members, said vane forms being of dielectric material; applying a film of electricity-conducting material on the surfaces of said vane forms; holding the members in spaced relation with their axes in alignment; holding edge faces of said vane forms in engagement with the surfaces of said members and to space said vane forms about the axis of said members to provide, with said members, a fluid pump having ffuid passages, positioning the engaged members and vane forms in a receptacle containing a fluid electrolyte and a metallic anode; rotating the engaged vane forms and members to efiect the flow of the electrolyte through said passages by the fluid-conducting and pumping action of said vane forms; and passing electric current through the metallic anode, the electrolyte, the film on said surfaces of said vane forms and said surface of said members to electro-deposit material from said metallic anode on said vane forms and said members to a predetermined thickness to thereby produce a homogeneous casing and vane structure.

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